SMRITI VAN

The Atharva Veda invokes the blessings of Mother Earth with its famous “Hymn to Earth”

“We invoke the Earth upon which foliage and trees are firmly held, unthreatened, the Earth which is equipped with all good things in a stable environment of harmony.”

The concept of Smriti Van is a novel idea of involving society at large in nature conservation. This is a concept in which trees can be planted, including on marriage, birthdays, anniversaries, demise, and friendship or on any occasion in the remembrance of near and dear ones. The concept can be implemented by setting up “Smriti Vans” in all villages / Panchayats, urban areas, tourist places, religious places and crematorium etc. The initiatives for this purpose no doubt have to be taken by the state government or the local body by making the land available, technical advice and seedlings etc. The planning and implementation would necessarily require active participation of the local community and ultimately the management should be entrusted to the local community, organizations, NGO’s or welfare associations etc.

 All over the world, people believe in perpetuating the memory by erecting memorials. Trees can be planted as “Live Memorial”. Planting or Adopting of a tree(s), on any occasion would not only satisfy the desire to keep the memory fresh, but also help in the national cause of “Greening and Maintaining the ecological balance as well as atmospheric equilibrium”. The Planting or Adopting of non timber species, which have value in terms of the regular usufruct they give like fruits, flowers, nuts, leaves, fodder, medicine and even shade, without having to be felled when mature, will enhance the concept of perpetuation of the memory of an ancestor, who is seen to continue to be a benefactor.

The Matsya Puran says that, “Ten sons are equal to a tree.” We can plant several hundreds of trees whose contribution to the state and nation for the cause of Environment and Ecology would be universally acknowledged.

Kindly remember that “ Care of the mother earth is essential and if we can not do our bit in this regard ---------------how can we survive? ”

Please plant more & more plants and also adopt / nurse the already existing plants as well.  Seedlings for Planting or Adopting are available at the nurseries---

·  Planting or Adopting   on   Birthday, new arrival

·  Planting or Adopting  on  marriage and marriage anniversaries

·  Planting or Adopting to remember your friendship & to forget enmity as well

·  Planting or Adopting on joining a new job, assignment & on retirement

·  Planting or Adopting on demise of near & dear one

·  Planting or Adopting to remember your Girl or Boy friend or any loved one

·  Planting or Adopting for religious ceremonies, social functions & others

·  Planting or Adopting on National/State Festivals like 26^th January, 15^th August 2^nd October, 16^th May state day etc.

·  Planting or Adopting to remember your visit to state/ place/ area/ location

·  Planting or Adopting for the peace & Harmony

·  Or Planting or Adopting to remember your secrets

         And always remember-

Brief descriptions of the some of locations selected are as under:

BULBULEY:  EAST DISTRICT

BULBULEY in East district is located at approx. 5-6 kms away from the capital city Gangtok. Its altitude varies from 1800 meters to 2200 meters and is the upper catchments of Gangtok and adjoining villages. It is the micro-watershed of Ratey Chu watershed, which goes right up to International Border and has a number of natural lakes in its upper catchments. As per the 1963, Survey of India map , the area had been reported as fairly dense mixed jungle, while in 1977 the same area has been reported as open mixed jungle.It has been reported that area was a dense forests of  Quercus spp.(Buk ), Castanopsis spp. (Katus ), Machilus spp. (Kawla), Betula spp. ( Saur), Michelia spp.( Champ), Alnus spp.( Utis) , Bucklandia spp. (Pipli), small bamboos Maling/ Parang ( Arundinaria spp) and medicinal plants/ herbs etc. The area was also rich in faunal biodiversity and it is the natural habitat for Red Panda. There were a number of natural streams in the area. It was and is still the main area for water source to Gangtok and for all the surrounding villages.

The Maharaja of Sikkim had given highest priority to preserve and protects this area especially for water resources and he had created awareness for this through his various programmes. The area was well persevered till early seventies and after that the process of degradation has started. The main cause of this are: Heavy fire wood collection, Fodder collection/lopping, increase in number of cattle/ goats, developmental activities, Construction of road ( 1983-84), quarry of stones / Boulders and many other biotic interferences. The area was ultimately degraded and a number of streams have already dried up and severe soil erosion/ slips and landslides further aggravated the situation. The State Government made a number of good efforts, but could not make it a success due non- participation of people and heavy biotic interference.

The State Government in the year 1999 - 2000 adopted the concept of Joint Forest Management (JFM), a people’s participatory approach and decided to green this area through peoples efforts. Hence the programme was launched in this area on 5^th June 1999. The results area very encouraging and if this is sustained for 5-10 years, the area would be certainly green and well protected.

YUMTHANG : NORTH DISTRICT

The area is located in Yumthang Valley, North District, approx. 139 kms away from Gangtok town and 71 kms away from Mangan, the District head quarter of North. Its altitude is approx. 3610 mtrs and the area is drained through Yumthang River ( Lachung Chu). It is surrounded by the forests, high peaks covered with snow and glaciers, water falls, streams and there is a good Hot Spring just near it. As per the 1963 Survey of India Toposheet, the area is reported to be dense mixed jungle of mainly pines. The main species in the area are: Chimal- Gurans (Rhododendron spp), Juniper ( Juniperus recurva), Birch /Saur ( Betula spp), Silver fir/ Gobre Salla ( Abies spectailis), Hemlock / Tengre Salla ( Tsuga dumosa) etc. It has good pasture land with beautiful natural settings.

The area was well preserved till early seventies and after that the process of degradation started. The main causes have been the timber requirement, firewood, developmental activities, construction of roads, grazing and natural calamities as well. The area has currently become a most important place from tourism point of view.

To green the area, protect it & to create awareness, the Smriti Van programme was here launched in the year 2001 with seedlings growing at the site. The basic objective is to involve the Tourists, Visitors, Army, BRO and local population in plantation and protection in this area. Though, the response is slow, the efforts are being made to make it a mass movement in the area.

SAMDUPTSE (TENDONG): SOUTH DISTRICT 

Samduptse is located approx. 6-7 kms away from the Namchi, District headquarter of south District. Its altitude varies from 1850 mtrs to 2249 mtrs and is the part of Tendong Reserved forests. The area is one of the richest in Bio-diversity and has been selected one of Hot – spot in the State. As per 1963 Survey of India toposheet, the area is reported as the dense mixed jungle of Middle hill forests comprising of Katus, Buk and its associates. The area is the origin of a   number of streams, which meet the water requirement of surrounding areas. Due to increase in demand of various forests produce mainly firewood, fodder and grazing, the area suffered heavy biotic pressure in mid seventies and the process of degradation started. This area can also be considered as Sacred Grooves as it is being worshipped for GURU PADMA SAMBHAVA.  Hence, the Smriti van programme in this area was started on 5^th June 2000 in the name of GURU PADMA SAMBHAVA SMRITI VAN by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pawan Chamling. The Tourists, visitors, Senior Citizens , local population, NGO’s , Associations etc. can plant saplings, or adopt a already existing plant /tree in the area for protection as well.

DEYTHANG (RAVANGLA): SOUTH DISTRICT

Deythang area of Smriti van is located near Ravangla bazaar and is approx. 2-3 kms away from it. Its altitude varies from 2000-2038 mtrs and is near the Deythang Lake. It was a mixed jungle of mainly Buk, Katus & Champ & its associates. The lake & streams are the source of water supply to the surrounding areas. The area suffered the degradation due to heavy pressure for firewood, fodder, Timber and grazing. The Smriti van programme in this area was launched on 5^th June 2001 by the people / Panchayat of the area.

RINCHENGPONG: WEST DISTRICT

This area is located in West District, about 45 kms. away from the district headquarter, Geyzing. Its altitude varies from 1700 to 1876 mtrs and the area is one of the important site for natural resources. The forests in this area is mainly comprising of Buk, katus and its associates and is degraded due to heavy biotic pressure of surrounding population. It is the source of water supply to the area and there is one natural lake in the area.

It is reported that the great poet Shri Ravindra Nath Tagore visited the area and wrote some lines of his famous book “GEETANJALI”. That’s why the people of the area have named this Smriti Van as TAGORE SMRITI VAN on 5^th June 1999.

SAKYONG: WEST DISTRICT

This area is selected by the people themselves and the Hon’ble area MLA, realizing its importance and is just 4-5 kms away from the Geyzing, district headquarter of West district. Its altitude varies from 1900 mtrs to 2000 mtrs and falls under the Middle Hill Forests areas. It was a forest of mainly Buk, Katus & its associates. The area has suffered degradation due to biotic pressure from Geyzing Town and surrounding villages for firewood, fodder, Grazing and timber as well. The people launched the Smriti Van programme on 5^th June 1999.

                “The aims and  objectives of this programme is to GREEN SIKKIM  through the people’s own efforts and involvement so that they themselves may not see the further degradation of state’s rich natural resources and protect them for ever. The programme would be taken to the door steps of the people, by having SMRITI VAN in each village and Panchayat of the state.”

The locations wise details of people’s participation in this programme may be seen in the following annexure --------AND